[Jody Barton]

Renault want a former Mercedes driver in their second car. You only have to listen to how their engineers wax lyrical about the feedback Ricciardo has provided them with to understand why a team would want the same input from a former Merc driver. Ricciardo is going nowhere. Hulkenberg is clearly on his way out. No question. Ocon or Bottas would be a great steal for Renault, but honestly? Bottas would be the shrewder move for them. Ocon hasn't actually driven a Merc in anger, Bottas has for the past three years. True, both are considered highly technical drivers that could bring invaluable knowledge to Renault, but only one would bring experience. We're I Toto though... I'd want to keep Ocon more than Bottas. Bottas has proved he'll never be a team leader, nor a WDC, Ocon has potential, we often forget in junior formula he owned Verstappen at times.